• Wimbledon, Day 13

Nadal powers past Berdych to reclaim Wimbledon crown

Rafael Nadal won an eight Grand Slam title © Getty Images

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Rafael Nadal overwhelmed first-time finalist Tomas Berdych in straight sets to win a second Wimbledon title and draw level with Andre Agassi in the all-time list.

The world No. 1 was clinical as he brushed the Czech aside in a 6-3 7-5 6-4 victory.

Berdych had already beaten top seed Roger Federer and third seed Novak Djokovic on his way to a maiden Grand Slam final, but it proved a bridge too far for the No. 12 seed, who had no answer for the rampant Spaniard.

Nadal had missed out on the chance to defend his 2008 title through injury last year, but he reclaimed the title in dominant fashion, overpowering Berdych in two hours and 12 minutes.

Just a month after reaching his first Grand Slam semi-final, Berdych was one match away from a maiden Grand Slam title, and was clearly fired up for the contest. He began the match brightly, his serve causing problems for Nadal. But his first unforced error of the match handed Nadal a chance, and the Spaniard needed no second invitation as he grabbed a break to take a 4-3 lead, winning four games in a row to seal the opening set in 34 minutes.

But if Nadal expected Berdych to roll over, he was mistaken and the Czech came out hard in the second set, pushing the No. 2 seed all the way in his opening service game, forcing the Spaniard to save three break points.

Berdych continued to hang on, and just as the set looked to be heading for a tie-break, the world No. 13 let his guard down, and Nadal pounced, grabbing a late break to take a two-set lead.

At two sets down, Berdych could not find a way into the match, and despite serving more aces and hitting fewer unforced errors than the world No. 1, Nadal sealed the match with a cross-court forehand winner for a comfortable victory.

Nadal becomes the first Spaniard to win the Wimbledon title for a second time, and his eighth Grand Slam title sees him draw level with Agassi, Ivan Lendl and Jimmy Connors. It was not a spectacular performance by Nadal, but he was delighted to make a winning return to the All England Club after missing out last year with injury.

"It was always my dream playing on this court," Nadal said. "Today I played my fourth final, it was amazing for me after a difficult year last year when I couldn't be here, but this year I came back and to have this trophy in my hands is more than a dream."

Berdych, who is set to rise to a career-high No. 8 in the rankings on Monday, paid tribute to the world No. 1 on his 20th victory in 21 matches at Wimbledon.

"It was a great two weeks for me, "said Berdych. "He was very strong, today he is showing in the last few months he is really the champion and he just deserved to win today."

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